5 Easy Ways to Use Tomatoes

When tomato season is in full swing, even the most devoted tomato aficionados might say “enough is enough!” when they run out of ideas. Here are five easy, recipe-free ways to enjoy tomatoes when they are at their flavorful best:

Tomato salad: For a simple salad, cut lush tomatoes into large chunks, or slice them. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with fresh herbs, such as a combination of basil and dill. For an really dazzling salad, use both red and yellow tomatoes. Try them paired with cucumbers (and a sprinkling of black olives) or with lush diced peaches or nectarines and some chopped walnuts.

Stuffed tomatoes: Cut large tomatoes in half horizontally and carefully hollow out with a spoon. Stuff with anything you fancy, such as leftover grain, bean, tofu, or tempeh salads. For a recipe Here’s our popular Deviled Tomatoes.

Fried tomatoes: Use red or green tomatoes, as you prefer. Dredge firm tomato slices in cornmeal and fry in a small amount of olive oil on both sides until the cornmeal is golden.

Fresh tomato pizza: Instead of sauce, use sliced fresh tomatoes as the base for pizza, using good-quality crust or pita breads. Layer other toppings as you wish over the tomatoes (try soy “pepperoni,” a sprinkling of mozzarella-style vegan cheese, and some fresh minced herbs for a vegan delight) and bake for 10 minutes at 425 degrees F. For a more specific recipe to follow, see Garlicky Fresh Tomato and Basil Pizza.